When evangelical pastor Brian Recker began questioning the rationality of a loving God consigning non-Christians to eternal damnation, it turned his world upside down. But, in the process, a lot of harmful beliefs and evangelical sacred cows began falling to the ground and a refreshing spirituality of love remained. Join Michael as he interviews Brian about his new book, Hellbent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love. Learn how hell takes center stage for conservative-minded Christians, how it disconnects us from ourselves and others, how to deconstruct it with historical and biblical evidence, and how Jesus' love ethic connects us all when hell is exposed for the fraud it is.  

Find Hellbent here: https://www.amazon.com/Hell-Bent-Holds-Christians-Spirituality/dp/0593853199/

Brian's website: https://www.brianrecker.com/

Brian on Instagram:   /berecker  

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For the longest time, Paul's Epistle to the Romans has been used to justify misogyny, homophobia, eternal conscious torment, and blind allegiance to the State. But the truth is that the Apostle Paul never intended his letter to Jesus gatherings in Rome to teach any of those things. Authors Keith Giles and Matthew J. Distefano join Michael to discuss their new book that corrects these misunderstandings and illuminates the true meaning of Paul's theological masterpiece. Drawing on leading "Pauline" scholars, this content is a must-watch-listen-read for anyone who claims to align with Christ or is deconstructing conservative Christianity. 

the book, Reading Romans Right, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1964252393 

Keith and Matthew are also publishers at Quoir. Discover other books that aren't afraid to challenge assumptions, see beyond comfort zones, and expand the collective consciousness: https://quoir.com/

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Today, we discuss a very important book with our guest author Eric English. It's "The Kingdom of Man: Evangelicalism and the Distortion of Christianity." Eric and I discuss the history of the evangelical movement, what the milestones were when things went south, how we got to where we are today, and some critical correctives to go from a "kingdom of man" to a more authentic society, based on divine love. We discuss: How did a small group of religious people become the most powerful political force in the U.S.? Why are Christians leaving this group? What is Christian Nationalism, and how does Donald Trump fit into this? Guest Eric English writes a column on the Patheos Progressive Christian channel and hosts a podcast called UNenlightenment. He holds advanced degrees in philosophy and theology.

To grab a copy of the book, visit: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Man-Eric-Scot-English-ebook/dp/B0D5RCSZC3/

For more resources, visit: https://thekingdomofman.com/

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I’m excited to have Kathy Shihadah back with us. Kathy is a Writer/Editor/Researcher at "If Americans Knew"—a media organization focused on the Middle East. She’s also a Blogger at Patheos with the title, Grace-Colored Glasses. Moreover, she has close family living in Gaza and at least one family member who has fled Gaza. She has a well-researched and personal perspective on what’s going on in the Israel-Gaza-Hamas War.  

We talk about the Gaza Ceasefire and what’s going on today. There is so much to this story that can make your head spin, so we're glad to have Kathy on to help us sort through a lot of stuff—some of it just plain misinformation you hear in the media. The Ceasefire deal, which was supposed to be into Phase 2 last weekend, is hanging by a thread. Learn what's happening now in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank, and where things might be headed. And, why you should care!

Get Quick and Easy Gaza News Daily: https://israelpalestinenews.org/category/2023-israel-gaza-war/daily-updates/

Israel/Palestine News: https://israelpalestinenews.org/

If Americans Knew: https://ifamericansknew.org/

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Matthew Distefano joins Michael to talk about the sequel to his book "Heretic," called "Heretic Too." It's provocative, insightful, humorous, and healing. We discuss the book and the many issues he addresses therein as an exvangelical, including what it means to follow Jesus, sexuality, women in the "church," corporal punishment, the nature of sin, the doctrine of hell, violent theology, and how to pray to an uncontrolling God. Restorative and healing, the book is a must read and our conversation is a must hear for anyone who continues to question their inherited doctrines.

Find Matthew's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Heretic-Too-Matthew-J-Distefano-ebook/dp/B0DFRR3JJB/

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Today, we are in for a special treat with our guest, Laci Nikita Bean. Laci is a Certified Religious Trauma Recovery Coach, a co-host of the Deadly Faith Podcast, and Author of the recently released book, "Leaving the Sanctuary: Discovering Life Beyond the Boundaries of Religion." You'll learn her story coming out of a full-blown church cult and finding freedom through deconstructing conservative Christianity. Topics we discuss include, Christian nationalism, Trumpism, conspiracy theories, narcissistic church leaders, abusive religious techniques, setting boundaries, psychological impacts of high-control religion, purity culture, marriage and deconstruction, religious trauma recovery, and reconstructing one's life or faith.  

Laci's book: https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Sanctuary-Discovering-Boundaries-Religion-ebook/dp/B0DJ1QN7S1/

Laci's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laci__bean/?hl=en

The Spiritual Brewpub: https://www.spiritualbrewpub.com/

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Matthew Taylor is a senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies. As a specialist in American Christianity, Islam, Christian extremism, and religious politics, he wrote the newly released book, The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That is Threatening our Democracy. Matthew joins Michael to discuss the book, the charismatic/apostolic movement that has supported Trumpism for years, their harmful tactics and beliefs, and what is going on today. This is a must see and must read to understand Christian Nationalism and its history. You know about people like Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani. You need to know about these key leaders behind this charismatic Christian movement called The New Apostolic Reformation. Take a listen and get the word out.  

Find Matthew's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Violent-Take-Force-Matthew-Taylor-ebook/dp/B0CTJHYQ9J/

Institute for Islamic Christian Jewish Studies: https://icjs.org/

More Spiritual Brewpub Episodes: https://the-spiritual-brewpub.simplecast.com/

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Michael chats with Gloria Beth Amodeo (goes by Beth) on her journey into and out of evangelical Christianity. Learn how a charming, insecure girl from a troubled family became a NYC evangelist for a Christian fundamentalist movement that sought to govern her every thought and action. We discuss Beth's book, God's Ex-Girlfriend, a wry, poignant, and unflinchingly honest memoir that unveils the cult-like operations of Campus Crusade for Christ and much of evangelicalism. Listen and learn the lessons Beth learned. Is the evangelical Jesus the real Jesus? 

Visit or contact Beth at: https://www.gloriabethamodeo.com/
Grab a copy of her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Ex-Girlfriend-Memoir-Leaving-Evangelical-ebook/dp/B0BKW2433Q/
The Spiritual Brewpub: https://www.spiritualbrewpub.com/
More episodes of The Spiritual Brewpub: https://the-spiritual-brewpub.simplecast.com/

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Michael has a conversation with Larry Jordan, author of The Way: Meaningful Spirituality for a Modern World. Larry deconstructed conservative Christianity, left 25 years of investment banking, and then dedicated his life to serve the world. Working for the Red Cross, helping Veterans, teaching children in Africa and now serving in Rotary International, a non-religious, non-political service organization. And all in the context of a spiritual journey that landed him following Jesus outside church with a Zen practice. Listen to the conclusions he came to incorporating an Eastern view of spirituality into life and faith.  

Find Larry's book, The Way, here: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Meaningful-Spirituality-Modern-World-ebook/dp/B0CGCG1FMG/

Larry's website: https://larryjordanauthor.com/

Larry's blog: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/youmightberight/

Learn Michael's journey at The Spiritual Brewpub: https://www.spiritualbrewpub.com/

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Get Dorsey's book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Kind-Bird-Cant-Fly-ebook/dp/B0CKZKDHYF/

Visit his organization, Legal Services for Children of Prisoners: https://prisonerswithchildren.org/

Visit The Spiritual Brewpub: https://www.spiritualbrewpub.com/

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